Kemo
06-11-2023, 08:30 PM
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson may have had high hopes for the XFL, but his attempt at the infamous football league has seen major losses.
Johnson purchased the league from Vince McMahon's Alpha Entertainment in 2020 following the closure of McMahon's second attempt at the world of pro football. The 2020 XFL was forced to end early due to restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. This league came close to two decades after McMahon's first iteration fo the XFL, which closed in the early 2000s over poor ratings.
While Johnson has made himself a household name in the worlds of wrestling and Hollywood, that success hasn't translated over into football. In an article by Forbes, it is reported that the 2023 season of the XFL lost an estimated $60 million. The season began in February and ended in May with the Arlington Renegades defeating the DC Defenders (35-26) and taking home the trophy.
This setback resulted in some job losses, but will not result in the league going under after one season, as we saw in 2001 and 2020. Speaking to Forbes, Dany Garcia, chair of the XFL, remained optimistic for the future of the league.
“We’re extremely well-capitalized for the long term. This is our new WWE. The next massive live property.”
XFL ownership informed Forbes that the league has capital commitments in place for the first four years of its run, and has signed sponsorships in place with national brands. Next season, the league projects $100 million in revenue, with close to a quarter of its income coming from ESPN, which pays the league $20 million per season.
Johnson purchased the league from Vince McMahon's Alpha Entertainment in 2020 following the closure of McMahon's second attempt at the world of pro football. The 2020 XFL was forced to end early due to restrictions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. This league came close to two decades after McMahon's first iteration fo the XFL, which closed in the early 2000s over poor ratings.
While Johnson has made himself a household name in the worlds of wrestling and Hollywood, that success hasn't translated over into football. In an article by Forbes, it is reported that the 2023 season of the XFL lost an estimated $60 million. The season began in February and ended in May with the Arlington Renegades defeating the DC Defenders (35-26) and taking home the trophy.
This setback resulted in some job losses, but will not result in the league going under after one season, as we saw in 2001 and 2020. Speaking to Forbes, Dany Garcia, chair of the XFL, remained optimistic for the future of the league.
“We’re extremely well-capitalized for the long term. This is our new WWE. The next massive live property.”
XFL ownership informed Forbes that the league has capital commitments in place for the first four years of its run, and has signed sponsorships in place with national brands. Next season, the league projects $100 million in revenue, with close to a quarter of its income coming from ESPN, which pays the league $20 million per season.